Materials & Resources
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Posters and Bulletin InsertsPrayers for Healing and Protection
- Prayer for Healing Victims of Abuse English and Spanish
- Rosary for Healing and Protection English Spanish
- Novena for Healing and Protection English Spanish
- Creating a Safe Faith Environment
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Kids Need Good Fruit
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Uniquely and Specially Created
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Creating an Environment of Respect Responsibility and Caring
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Creating a Faith Environment Safe from Physical Aggression
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Creating a Trauma Sensitive Faith Environment
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Child Abuse Prevention Month Calendars
- 2016 Child Abuse Prevention Month in the Year of Mercy
- 2017 Child Abuse Prevention Month - Promoting Life and Dignity
- 2018 Child Abuse Prevention Month as Missionary Disciples
- 2019 Child Abuse Prevention Month as Intentional Catholics
- 2020 Child Abuse Prevention Month - Maintaining Healthy Connections
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Creating Connections Through Safe Stable Nurturing Relationships
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Creating an Environment of Authentic Love - Posters
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Agape Love Letters
Often when we think of love letters we think of romance and passion – eros or erotic love. As Catholic Christians we are called to something more. We all share a common vocation - the Universal Call to Love and Communion. In this calling we strive to love others as Christ loved us, giving of ourselves freely and selflessly – welcoming others completely and unconditionally. This God-like love to which we are called is known as agape love. Agape love images God, it is centered in Christ, and it is enabled by the Holy Spirit. It is through our expressions of agape love that others encounter Christ. Provide an encounter with Christ’s love for someone who has experienced abuse by writing them an Agape Love Letter. Include some of the following expressions of love:
Dear Child of God,
- You are unique, special, gifted and graced – a never to be repeated wonder in all of God’s creation.
- I believe you and I love you.
- God loves you and does not desire for you to be harmed.
- The things that you experienced were not what God had planned for you and the pain you have endured is painful to Him.
- Nothing that has ever happened to you or ever will happen to you can change who you are – a beloved child of God.
- God’s plan for you was to experience only love and that is still His plan.
- God is more powerful that anyone you have ever encountered, and He loves you more than anyone you have ever known.
- I will be praying for you – for your continued protection and healing.
- May you know God’s profound love for you.
Send your letter(s) to the Diocesan Child Protection Office to be shared with individuals who access Victim Assistance services in our Diocese and throughout the country.
Diocese of Grand Island
Child Protection Office
2708 Old Fair Road
Grand Island NE 68803
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April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
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Reflections for Child Abuse Prevention Month 2022
This April, during Child Abuse Prevention Month, let yourself be moved by the Word of God by praying the scriptures throughout Holy Week and before each Sunday Mass. Pray the scriptures with lectio divina and / or use the following reflections:
April 3, 2022
John 8:1-11
As we ponder Jesus’ mercy for the woman caught in adultery, we recognize the deep pain of all sexual sin. Sexual abuse and exploitation are devastating – not only because of the physical harm and emotional pain caused by the abuse, but because of the weight of shame carried by those in its wake. Instilling guilt and shame are among the tools used by an offender to prevent disclosure. Our blame and shame culture further adds to the burden of those who experience abuse and those who love them. None of us escapes the cloak of humiliation that covers when our clouded vision clears and we realize how blindly we had trusted others to love and protect and lead. We feel duped. We feel unworthy. We feel unlovable. We feel ashamed. Yet Christ does not condemn, rather he calls us to holiness. He loves us even when we do not love ourselves and he calls all of us out of the darkness to walk with him in the light.
Lord, forgive me for not seeing myself as worthy of your love – as capable of holiness. Guide me
in your truth that I may not fall prey to deception and may come to see myself as you see me. Amen.Elizabeth A. Heidt Kozisek – Diocese of Grand Island
Sue Stubbs – Archdiocese of Atlanta
Not to be reprinted without written permission
April 10, 2022
Palm Sunday
Luke 22:14-23:56
Luke 23:1-49
Today we read the Passion of Jesus, and we are given the opportunity to truly immerse ourselves in the scene as we read aloud the voice of Jesus’ betrayers. Abuse and exploitation involve a betrayal of trust. This betrayal is not limited to those who abuse - it continues in the actions of those who fail to protect and offer no means of healing. The impact of such betrayal reverberates throughout our entire Church today. We are not alone. Just as He was betrayed by his disciples at the time of His passion, Jesus is again betrayed by his disciples in today when his disciples abuse, fail to protect, and fail to heal.
Jesus, we are here with you outside the garden where one of your closest friends betrayed you, with of all things, a kiss. Something intended to be a sign of love and affection, he used for violence and deception. We have felt this too. Those who have abused within your Church used actions that God gave humankind to express love and affection in a way that hurt so many. Lord, I know that you never willed for your children to be harmed by abuse, that you let those who abused chose to do these things without regard for your will. Help me to understand that what you want for me and all your children is good, but your gift of free will is not something you will ever take from anyone, no matter how they choose to use it. That includes me. I am free to choose where I go from here. Help me to choose the path of love – for myself, for others, for you. Amen– from The Way: A Healing Retreat for Survivors of Abuse
Sue Stubbs – Archdiocese of Atlanta
Elizabeth A. Heidt Kozisek – Diocese of Grand Island
Not to be reprinted without written permission.
April 14, 2022
Holy Thursday
John 13:1-15
Love one another as I have loved you. John 13:34
As Catholic Christians we are called to love like Christ… “I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should do” (John 13:15). There is absolutely nothing Catholic about abuse and exploitation. In fact, the objectification of sacred human persons that is at the core of abuse is in exact opposition to our call to self-giving love in imitation of Christ. The abuse and exploitation of any human person is truly an evil. To quote Father John Ricardo, “the best way to combat evil is to be intentionally Catholic – to know Christ and to make Him known – to love Christ and to share His love.” To create a culture of healing and protection in our world today we must be Intentionally Catholic.
Jesus, help us to love as you do. Make us aware of every action, interaction, and attitude we express. Fill us with your presence so that all who experience us encounter you. Amen.Elizabeth A. Heidt Kozisek – Diocese of Grand Island
Sue Stubbs – Archdiocese of Atlanta
Not to be reprinted without written permission.April 15, 2022
Good Friday
Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9
John 18:1-19:42
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So, let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help. – Hebrews 4:16
Our heart breaks at the death of Jesus. We are haunted by the images of his betrayal, denial and torture by those he loved. There is nothing any of us have suffered that He cannot understand. There is no pain he cannot grasp. There is nothing he would not sacrifice for love of you.
Jesus, help us remember how deeply you understand our pain. Be present to all who feel betrayed, denied, and tortured by someone they love. Wrap your love around us, give us hope. Amen.Elizabeth A. Heidt Kozisek – Diocese of Grand Island
Sue Stubbs – Archdiocese of Atlanta
Not to be reprinted without written permission.April 16, 2022
Holy Saturday - Easter Vigil
Genesis 1:1-2:2 or Genesis 1:1, 26-31A
Psalms 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12, 13-14, 24, 35 or Psalms 33:4-5, 6-7, 12-13, 20, 22
Genesis 22:1-18 or Genesis 22:1-2, 9A, 10-13, 15-18
Psalms 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11
Exodus 14:15-15:1
Exodus 15:1-2, 3-4. 5-6, 17-18
Isaiah 54:5-14
Psalms 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13
Isaiah 55:1-11
Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6
Baruch 3:9-15, 32C4:4
Psalms 19:8, 9,10, 11
Ezekiel 36:16-17A, 18-28
Psalms 42:3, 5; 43:3, 4 or Isaiah 12:2-3, 4BCD, 5-6 or Psalms 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19
Romans 6:3-11
Psalms 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
Matthew 28:1-10
Tonight, we reflect on the high points of salvation history – our history – God’s love story for us. It is hard to be patient for the good news of Jesus’ resurrection, but so important to remember the whole story. Regardless of what our own personal journey has been, it is easy for us to become consumed by our daily lives - focusing on what is before us, not what is beyond us. The experience of abuse and trauma is so profound that it can be a challenge to focus on anything beyond. Traumatic memories are often over-whelming and the experience of trauma changes the lens through which we view all that is before us. Jesus has a love story for each-and-every one of us and it is bigger than the struggles of today or the worst thing that has ever happened to us. Our story begins with our creation in the image and likeness of God. Each one of us is “unique, special, gifted and graced… a never to be repeated wonder in all of God’s creation.” Our story culminates with Jesus’ total gift of himself for us. Though unwelcome characters may enter our story and we may encounter unexpected, even horrifying, turns in the plot, nothing that has ever happened to us or ever will happen to us can change the theme – that of our inherent dignity and Jesus’ infinite love for us.
Jesus, as we reflect on your love story for the entire human race, help us remember your personal love story for us. When we are challenged with adverse experiences help us keep the perspective that there is so much more to our story. Let us be always mindful of our dignity as sacred human persons and of your infinite love for us. Amen.Elizabeth A. Heidt Kozisek – Diocese of Grand Island
Sue Stubbs – Archdiocese of Atlanta
Not to be reprinted without written permission.April 17, 2022
Easter Sunday
Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5: 6B-8
John 20:1-9
It is finally Easter- the culmination of our liturgical year - our cause for celebration! Yet it seems difficult to imagine celebrating at this time of crisis in our Church and in our world. We are reminded in the second reading(s) this Easter to, “think of what is above, not of what is on earth.” To “clear out the old yeast...the yeast of malice and wickedness” and to celebrate the feast “with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” Our call this Easter is not to forget, ignore, or minimize the evil that has plagued our Church and harmed so many – our call is to cleanse and purify. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus calls us to begin anew in sincerity and truth. To “think of what is above,” is not to abandon those seeking justice and longing for healing, nor to blindly trust those who have caused harm; but rather to leave all that burdens us in the tomb and place our hope in the new life of resurrection in Christ!
God, our Father, never had as His plan a living death for us; He created us for an abundant life of knowing, loving and serving Him. Jesus’ death and resurrection frees us from the weight of our woundedness and offers us the hope of healing.
Jesus, I cannot contain my joy and happiness that You conquered death – Yours and mine! Thank you for freeing me to choose the life God wants for me, to learn ways to live abundantly, love freely, and trust in You. Thank You for Your love of me! Amen.-from The Way: A Healing Retreat for Survivors of Abuse
Sue Stubbs – Archdiocese of Atlanta
Elizabeth A. Heidt Kozisek – Diocese of Grand Island
Not to be reprinted without written permission.
April 19, 2022
Mass for Healing and Reparation
Jn 20:11-18“And they said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’
She said to them, ‘They have taken my Lord,
and I don’t know where they laid him.’
When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there,
but did not know it was Jesus.”When we are in the midst of pain and suffering it can be hard to know Christ’s presence. We may feel as though those who harmed us have taken our Lord from us. Imagine the despair when we have placed our trust in Christ, and we cannot find Him anywhere. Just as Mary Magdalene saw Jesus and did not recognize him, we often fail to recognize Christ’s presence in our lives. “God did not intend for us to walk The Way alone. Not only is God there for us, He has provided others who have what we need to help us get where we are going. All we have to do is accept their help.” (S. Stubbs, The Way: Stations of the Cross for Survivors of Abuse)
Lord, when I am struggling, help me to recognize You in those who offer me help and healing. Grant me the courage and humility to reach out for help to those You have put in my life as a gift of Your love. Lord, when I have strength, conform me to Yourself. Make me a gift of Your love to others. AmenSue Stubbs – Archdiocese of Atlanta
Elizabeth A. Heidt Kozisek – Diocese of Grand Island
Not to be reprinted without written permission.April 24, 2022
John 20:19-31
Like Thomas, we are also tempted to doubt Christ’s resurrection. We find ourselves doubting that God can make anything good come from the crisis of abuse in our world and in our Church. Rather than proclaiming the good news of the resurrection, our humiliation and fear keeps us locked inside, waiting for a sign.
Lord, help us hear your words, “Peace be with you.” Help our unbelief. Remind us that You created the universe, humbled Yourself to walk among us, and conquered death for love of us. You will outlive this crisis, you are more powerful than any who have caused harm, and the strength of your love is greater than any destructive force we ever have or ever will encounter. Holy Spirit accompany us as we venture out into the world proclaiming the joy of the resurrection! Amen.Elizabeth A. Heidt Kozisek – Diocese of Grand Island
Sue Stubbs – Archdiocese of Atlanta
Not to be reprinted without written permission. -
“The Cross is the word through which God has responded to evil in the world.
Sometimes it may seem as though God does not react to evil, as if he is silent.
And yet, God has spoken, he has replied, and his answer is the Cross of Christ:
a word which is love, mercy, forgiveness.”
Pope Francis, Good Friday Address, March 29, 2013
Abuse and exploitation are all too common in our struggling world. Christ knows our pain. Through his Passion Christ experienced every conceivable hurt. In His Resurrection Christ shows us the way to hope and healing. Whether you have personally experienced the pain and suffering of abuse, are walking with a loved one who has, or are seeking to find the way to heal our suffering world, please join us in praying The Way: Stations of the Cross for Survivors of Abuse (Sue Stubbs, MS, NCC).
Pray with us at:
https://youtu.be/2GeJ8P_FRxw
Download Responses Here -
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What is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking is a crime against humanity. We must unite our efforts to free victims and stop this crime that has become ever more aggressive, that threatens not just individuals, but the foundational values of society.
- Pope Francis
Take time this month to learn more about trafficking:- US Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking
- Shared Hope International
- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops - Anti-Trafficking Program
- Fight the New Drug
- Covenant Eyes
- Trafficking in Nebraska
And join in the annual Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking, February 8, 2020.
National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month and Day of Prayer Toolkit
Did you know men and boys can be victims of sex trafficking too?
Often when we think of sex trafficking we imagine a victim who is young, foreign, and female. Trafficking affects all countries and genders... read more.
If you, or someone you know, are a victim of trafficking help is available, contact:
The National Traffikcing hotline: 1-888-373-7888
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children: 1-800-843-5678
The National Runaway Switchboard: 1-800-RUNAWAY
The Nebraska Abuse Hotline: 1-800-652-1999
